Let’s be real—most business owners aren’t sitting on a massive marketing budget.
But the good news? You don’t need one.
Some of the most effective ways to get your business seen, talked about, and remembered are completely free. You just have to know where to look—and how to show up consistently.
Here are 7 proven strategies to get free exposure for your business every single week—without spending a dime.
1. Post in Local Facebook Groups
Community groups are digital goldmines. Whether it’s “Indian River Buy/Sell/Trade,” a neighborhood page, or a local moms group. Your ideal customer is already in there.
Instead of constantly selling, try this:
- Post a helpful tip
- Share a behind-the-scenes photo
- Comment on posts asking for recommendations
People buy from people they trust. And trust is built through real interaction, not just promotions.
Pro tip: Make sure your Facebook profile is branded so if they click your name, your business is clearly listed and easy to find.
2. Submit Your Events to Local Calendars
Sites like Vero Vine, Eventbrite, and local newspapers often offer free event listings that get indexed on Google.
Even if you’re not hosting a big event, small things count:
- A weekend sale
- A pop-up booth
- A holiday special
- A workshop or class
When people Google “Things to do in [your city]” your event could be one of the first results.
Bonus: These links often drive high-quality traffic to your website.
3. Collaborate with Other Local Businesses
Look for non-competing businesses with a similar audience and create a win-win.
Here’s how:
- Swap shoutouts on Instagram
- Run a joint giveaway
- Host a “Pop-Up Party” or “Sip & Shop” together
This doubles your exposure instantly—and creates buzz from two audiences instead of one.
Example: A coffee shop teams up with a local artist. The artist displays their work in the shop; the shop gets free decor and content. Win-win.
4. Ask Happy Customers to Tag You
If you’re delivering a great product or experience, don’t be shy—ask for the tag.
It’s easy, it’s natural, and it works.
Ideas:
- Add a reminder on your receipt or bag
- Post a sign near checkout: “Tag us & we’ll repost you!”
- DM a thank you and ask directly
User content builds trust faster than anything you can say yourself, and you get to reshare it as free marketing.
5. Post Regularly on Your Google Business Profile
Most business owners forget about this, but your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) has a powerful “Posts” section.
You can update it weekly with:
- Announcements
- Special offers
- Blog posts
- Events
It’s one of the best ways to boost local SEO for free.
Consistent posts = more local traffic from search.
6. Be the Expert in Niche or Industry Groups
Look for local associations, Facebook groups, or even Clubhouse rooms where people are talking about your industry.
Offer advice. Answer questions. Be helpful.
This positions you as the go-to expert, even if you’re not selling directly.
Visibility through value builds long-term attention and trust.
7. Reshare User-Generated Content (UGC)
Got a customer who posted about your product, left a review, or tagged your location?
Repost it. Highlight it. Feature it.
It shows you’re active, it validates your business, and it gives that customer a reason to keep supporting you.
Plus, it encourages others to post about you too.
Think of UGC as “referrals in digital form.”
You don’t have to outspend the competition, you just have to outshow them.
With a little consistency and creativity, these 7 strategies can help you build real buzz and brand awareness every week, for exactly $0.00.
Would you like a PDF version of this or a branded social media carousel to match for your Business Manager newsletter? I can format it for easy sharing!